Real Mama Spring 2006 Newsletter

Earth Water Air Minds Bodies
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Digging for Gold . . . Black Gold

Getting a compost pile or bin up and running can be a fun family activity—the final results of which will not only be a rich additive for your soil, but also a reduction in the amount of waste you send to your local landfill, and a sense of pride in what you have done! This article teaches you the basics of composting.

From your Kitchen to your Garden: Natural Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals for Controlling Pests in the Garden

Toxic chemicals that comprise many pesticides and fertilizers are often found in the foods that we eat. These toxic chemicals can cause cancer and disorders of the nervous and reproductive systems. You can avoid toxic chemicals in your garden and still control pests by using any number of natural solutions.

Ready, Set, Grow! How to Prepare your Garden this Spring.

Preparation and planning are the keys to a successful garden. From soil preparation to finding the types of plants that will thrive best in your yard, the basics are important. And the basics can be attacked organically and sustainably. Amending the soil with natural substances and choosing plants that are ideal for the climate in which you live can help you to yield a beautiful garden that is environmentally sound and easy to care for!

Surrounded by Water, Pollution, and Solutions - By Kari Jermansen, Special Contributor to Real Mama, Inc.,

For many of us on the East Coast, it is almost beach season. This Spring and Summer make a day at the beach, river, or lake an opportunity to introduce kids to the importance of water in our lives and to teach them to understand that activities on land often affect water quality downstream.

Asthma and Air Pollution: Is the Dirty Air to Blame for this Chronic Lung Disease?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that, in extreme cases, can lead to death. Over 20 million Americans suffer from asthma. The asthma rate for children has increased over 160 percent over the past 20 years. A new study has uncovered a potential link that may attribute the rise in asthma to air pollution.

Is the Answer, My Friend, Really Blowing in the Wind? Why Environmentalists are Split on Wind Energy.

Wind energy could be the answer to some of the biggest environmental issues for our generation and for our children’s generation, including global warming and air quality issues, as well as limited fossil fuel supplies and high energy costs. Despite the advantages of wind energy over fossil fuels, as of 2005, wind made up only 0.39% of the United States’ sources of energy. One of the reasons the development of wind energy as a source of energy for the United States has been hampered is because of opposition by—believe it or not—environmentalists.

Activities to Encourage Environmental Stewardship in Kids this Spring

This page provides some craft ideas that are sure to earn Mother Nature’s blessing—or at least be fun for your kids! It also contains recommendations on books that we think you and your children will find both enjoyable and inspiring. And, it provides some great ideas on how to get your kids outside and get green this Spring!

Tuna Fish: Is it Mercury in a Can?

Mercury is a toxic metal that can damage a child’s developing nervous system. The FDA and the EPA have advised pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid eating certain types of fish and to limit the intake of other types. This article discusses the benefits and risks of eating seafood, and provides solutions for reducing mercury in the environment and our bodies.

Gummi-vites, Flinstones, and Vitaballs... Oh My! Do your Children even Need to Take Vitamins?

Most doctors agree that it is best for everyone to receive their daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals from whole food sources. But because children are such picky eaters, a nutritional supplementation may be necessary. This article discusses the importance of healthy eating habits and possible supplementation.

Spring 2006 Articles